Literacy refers to the ability to read and write. Around 1 in 5 adults worldwide are illiterate, with two-thirds being women. Literacy rates are lowest in Africa. Singapore has made education compulsory since 2003 to keep up with a fast-changing world. Being illiterate can lead to poor social development and higher chances of poverty due to limited job opportunities. International Literacy Day on September 8th highlights the importance of literacy. Individuals and organizations work to increase literacy rates through building schools and fundraising.

1. Literacy

2. What is Literacy?
Literacy refers to the ability to read and write.
Simply put, it is whether one is educated or not.

3. Statistics
• 1 in 5 adults are illiterate and two-third of this group are women.
• 796 MILLION adults lack minimum literacy skills and 67.4 MILLION
children are not enrolled in schools.
• Africa has the lowest literacy rate.

4. What about Singapore?
The Singapore Government realized that education is very
important to keep up with a fast changing and growing
world. Therefore the Government made education
compulsory in 2003. Every child that was born from 1996
onwards had to attend a national primary school.

5. What are the effects of being illiterate?
• Poor Social Development - Literacy is a tool of personal
empowerment. It is a means for social development as well. People
tend to look down on those that are illiterate.
• Chance of dropping into poverty – when you are illiterate, you are
unable to find jobs with stable income. This will lead to a chance of
falling into poverty, because of the lack of education. When
employers hire people, they are looking for capable workers that are
able to cope with problems that may arise and handle tricky
situations. Without education, many employers would not even
consider to hire you, and therefore you may fall into poverty.

6. What is being done to help the illiterate and
the world?
• International Literacy Day - September 8 was proclaimed
International Literacy Day by UNESCO on November 17, 1965. It
was first celebrated in 1966. Its aim is to highlight the importance of
literacy to individuals, communities and societies. On International
Literacy Day each year, UNESCO reminds the international
community of the status of literacy and adult learning globally.
• There are also many people that spend their own money to help
build schools in rural areas to promote education and increase the
literacy rate.

7. How do we help?
• There are many ways that we can help. Some of which are,
• Donating money to fund raising events for increasing the literacy
rate
• Donating unwanted books to organizations that fights against
illiteracy
• Cherish the fact that we are so fortunate to be able to receive
education.